APEC Water Systems ROES-50 (Essence Series) vs Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect)
APEC Water Systems ROES-50 (Essence Series)
Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect)
The short answer
Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect) comes out ahead overall with 7.7/10 against 7.0/10 for the APEC Water Systems ROES-50 (Essence Series). APEC Water Systems ROES-50 (Essence Series) is stronger on other contaminant coverage, value and reliability & support. Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect) is stronger on pfas reduction evidence, installation & cabinet fit, flow & daily convenience and health, materials & sustainability. At current verified prices, the Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect) costs about $55.00 less.
- Choose the APEC Water Systems ROES-50 (Essence Series) if: Buyers who also want fluoride, arsenic or TDS removal on a budget and have room for a tank.
- Choose the Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect) if: Renters or crowded cabinets where you don't want a second faucet or a drilled hole.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | APEC Water Systems ROES-50 (Essence Series) | Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect) |
|---|---|---|
| PFAS reduction evidence | 7.0100% total PFAS in one independent lab test; no PFAS certification. | 7.5Certified per maker data sheet only; certifier inconsistent. |
| Other contaminant coverage | 8.5Lab-verified lead, arsenic, uranium and fluoride, plus NSF 58. | 7.042/53/401 coverage. |
| Value | 8.5$180 and about $75 a year. | 8.0$124.99; long-life cartridge. |
| Installation & cabinet fit | 4.5Tank, drain saddle, faucet hole; may need a pro. | 9.5No drilling, faucet or power. |
| Flow & daily convenience | 5.050 GPD tank; fiddly changes. | 8.01.5 gpm through the main faucet; cold only. |
| Health, materials & sustainability | 6.0No power, but 3:1 waste and strips minerals. | 7.5No wastewater; BPA-free claim is brand-level. |
| Reliability & support | 7.0Long-selling; standard filters. | 6.01-year warranty; third-party Amazon seller. |
Specifications
| Spec | APEC Water Systems ROES-50 (Essence Series) | Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect) |
|---|---|---|
| Filter type | Tank reverse osmosis | Inline carbon block (Claryum), single cartridge |
| PFAS certification (as stated by maker) | None for PFAS; WQA certified (NSF/ANSI 58 system performance) | IAPMO-certified to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 (includes P473) and 401; 95% PFOA/PFOS reduction |
| Third-party certified for PFAS | No | Yes |
| Independent lab total PFAS reduction | 100 % | — |
| Filtration stages | 5 | 1 |
| Filter capacity (primary cartridge) | — | 784 gal |
| Rated filter life | 12 months | 6 months |
| Rated flow rate | 0.04 gpm | 1.5 gpm |
| Est. annual filter cost | 75 USD | — |
| Pure-to-drain ratio (RO) | 1:3 (3 gal drain per 1 gal filtered, TechGearLab) | None (no RO) |
| Needs electrical outlet | No | No |
| Uses dedicated faucet (drilling may be needed) | Yes | No |
APEC Water Systems ROES-50 (Essence Series)
Pros
- 100% total PFAS removal in Tap Score testing
- Removes lead, arsenic, uranium and fluoride
- Low yearly filter cost
- No electricity needed
Cons
- No PFAS certification
- About 3 gallons of wastewater per gallon filtered
- Bulky tank and harder install
- Water can taste flat
A capable budget RO system with good lab data. Buy it for breadth, not for certified PFAS claims.
Full APEC Water Systems ROES-50 (Essence Series) review →Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect)
Pros
- No drilling and no second faucet
- Certified to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 (P473) and 401
- 1.5 gpm flow
- 784-gallon cartridge
Cons
- Only cold water is filtered
- Certifier named inconsistently across listings
- No independent review found
- 1-year limited warranty
The right pick when installation limits decide it. Check the certification on the box before you rely on it.
Full Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect) review →Both products are part of our guide The Best Under-Sink Filters for PFAS of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.